We cannot change the politics issue until we change the culture around it; until we talk about what parents do for their kids as an act of love. That's a cultural conversation. Jose Antonio Vargas actchangeconversation Change image and share on social
When I was younger, I didn't understand how a mother could put her son on a plane and just say, you know, 'Here you go, I'll see you later.' And she never followed, she never came. Jose Antonio Vargas motherplaneput Change image and share on social
The fact of the matter is, this country is not going to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. What are we supposed to do with them? What are we supposed to do with these kids? Jose Antonio Vargas countrydeportfact Change image and share on social
I can't marry my way into citizenship like straight people can. I can get married in the state of New York where I live, but because of the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal government, which hands out visas, won't recognize my marriage. Jose Antonio Vargas actcitizenshipdefense share on social
When you're undocumented, you're supposed to keep your head down and be quiet and pay taxes, social security - even though people don't know that we do those things - and not say anything. Jose Antonio Vargas headpaypeople Change image and share on social
You know, I'm one of millions of undocumented people in this country who are living kind of under the shadows. And in many ways, coming out, it was my way of - at the end of the day, I think we have to tell the truth about this immigration system. And because of that, I had to tell the truth about myself. Jose Antonio Vargas comecountryday share on social
Of all the questions I get asked as an undocumented immigrant in the United States, there are two - asked in various permutations via email, social media or in person - that chill me to the bone: 'Why don't you just make yourself legal?' And: 'Why don't you get in the back of the line?' Jose Antonio Vargas askbackbone share on social
I'm not a minority: I'm a majority of one. We all are. To call someone a minority, you give them baggage, of not being full, or not being seen as full. All of us need to be seen as full human beings. Jose Antonio Vargas baggagebeingcall Change image and share on social
I believe fundamentally in the kindness of the American people because I have been a beneficiary of it. Jose Antonio Vargas americanbeneficiaryfundamentally Change image and share on social
While in high school, I worked part time at Subway, then at the front desk of the local YMCA, then at a tennis club, until I landed an unpaid internship at 'The Mountain View Voice,' my hometown newspaper. Jose Antonio Vargas clubdeskfront share on social